Join our Team!

Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Food Coalition

Project name: Furthering the Resiliency of Wyoming’s Local Food System

Goal of the project: To promote, support and expand the production, access and consumption of fresh, local food in Wyoming with an emphasis on people living in poverty, vulnerable populations and the geographically isolated.

Objective 1: Support the Wyoming Food Coalition.

1. Provide administrative and logistical support to the WFC Board of Directors, such as event organizing meetings, taking and/or distributing minutes, and organizing events.
2. Facilitate collaboration amongst local food-related individuals, organizations and businesses by sharing information, events and services, and assist with developing the WFC’s strategic communications plan.
3. Identify and recruit individuals and entities to the WFC to be members or to provide that support local food production and/or consumption.
4. Support fundraising efforts through information and data collection for grant funding and reporting.

Objective 2: Support the implementation of the WFC strategic plan.

1. Facilitate the development and implementation of management plans for the WFC working groups.
2. Assist in evaluating how the activities of the WFC Board of Directors and working groups match the strategic plan. 

Objective 3: Facilitate local food, agriculture and nutrition education through the efforts of WFC working groups.

1. The Vibrant Producers working group supports the development of local farmers and ranchers, such as feasibility surveys and evaluation of technical assistance and infrastructure.
2. The Fairness & Justice and Healthy People working groups work toward equitable access to nutritious, local food by all Wyoming residents regardless of income or location.
3. The Strong Indigenous Community working group is aimed at increasing local food production and access for Wind River Indian Reservation communities.
4. The Sustainable Ecosystems working group is aimed at developing regenerative agriculture, such as through the Healthy Soils Initiative.
5. The Policy working group supports the development of local food and agriculture policies at the community, county and state levels, such as adaptations to the Wyoming Food Freedom Act.
6. The Strategic Communications working group leads public outreach and local food education efforts, and is developing a comprehensive communication and outreach plan.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree preferred, but not required; experience in local food production, community development, resilient food systems, and food and agriculture policy a plus.

Desired Skills:

• Project management.
• Excellent relationship building, communication, and public speaking skills.
• Self-directed and able to work independently.
• Ability to work respectfully among individuals of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to foster and maintain a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration among stakeholders.

Position Location: The successful volunteer will be hosted in central Wyoming by Central Wyoming College in either Lander or Riverton. Subsidized housing is available at Lander. However, it is possible for the position to be hosted in Laramie, Wyoming at the University of Wyoming. Both organizations are partners in supporting the Wyoming Food Coalition. Some travel may be required.

About the Lander area: Wyoming is a big state, and a popular place for outdoor activities. There is a tremendous amount of public land, and outdoor recreation opportunities around Lander include rock climbing in the Wind River Mountains, traveling the scenic Loop Road, camping, and hiking, jogging, or biking the Popo Agie River. Time West magazine voted Lander as one of the Top Ten Western Towns, and it is known as being one of the best places to live in the state. Read more about Lander here.

About the Wyoming Food Coalition: The Coalition is comprised of volunteers from across the state and representatives of multiple interests in the food system, such as production, processing, health and nutrition, community development, fairness and justice, indigenous people, and government. It is a nonprofit organization which began in 2019. Its activities are accomplished through various working groups, with the support of a central leadership team. The Coalition’s Facebook page is here.

Applications should be made at the AmeriCorps VISTA site once the position is posted. Applications still open. 

Questions? Contact Cole Ehmke at cehmke@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-3782.